hound bellows beneath
my window we sing: "i am
stupid in this world"

dad painted quiet
in the murmuring attic
farther than the moon

i respect the creature
chloe actually is
and try to find
her best description:
animal companion?
(close) familiar?
(beguiling but not quite)
pet? (insulting)
fur baby? (christ, no)
today i will not be
despondent because she is
gentler and more
authentic than i
and loves the ridiculous
pathetic me more
than i deserve
as does the patient
father of the cosmos

anger jolts my brain
swift purple fever shallow
rapacious world i'm done

a sweet autumn breeze
tousles my scalp discovers
my forgotten grin

suddenly missing mother a rough animal sound comes

downpours broke that spring
till i whooped and soaped my
naked hide outdoors